apparel manufacturing on a global platform-

Apparel Manufacturing on a Global Platform-

The importance of strategic partners for the future of the

industry

Presented Presented

byby

Frances HarderFrances HarderFounder Fashion Business Inc.,

Author: Fashion For Profit

By Frances Harder

Apparel Manufacturing on a Global Platform

California is THE largest creative apparel center

in the World……….

By Frances Harder


By Frances Harder


Pacsun

By Frances Harder


By Frances Harder


By Frances Harder

ST. John


By Frances Harder


By Frances Harder

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The Gap Inc., Corporate Headquarters, San Francisco, California

By Frances Harder


USA is the largest importer of garments with imports of over US $82 billion.

2009 Import Statistics from India and the LA Customs District -

• Women’s & girls’ – woven $ 85,503,333• Men or boys’ – woven $ 62,359,068• Sweaters, pullovers - knit $ 59,122,796• Men’s & boys’ shirts - woven $ 52,509,892• Women’s & girls’ tops - woven $ 45,093,388

(Ref LA Port Authorities)

By Frances Harder


Same year - (2009)

US exported cotton from the LA

Customs District to India with the value of $ 57,781,708

By Frances Harder


• India is the world’s second largest producer of textile and garments, Exports totaled US$ 10.17 billion during the year 2008-09The industry supports 7 million people as part of its workforce,

• Even today it is the second largest provider of employment in the country.

By Frances Harder


A new economy demands a changing manufacturing habit -

• Speed to Market - new buying habits of retailers

• Smaller orders but more often - How does this affect manufacturing apparel?

• Can India adjust to these new demands?

• Domestic Versus Off shore

By Frances Harder


Contracting Out Work - Domestic Production

• Speed to Market• Quality control • Smaller units produced• Off Shore Sourcing – Price = Quantities• Quality & Payment issues

Important to build relationships

By Frances Harder


You don't need to be "in love" with your working partners but it is

important to-

• Understand their culture

• Trust their work

• Respect their lifestyle

• Get to know them - visit their factories and spend time to know who you are partnered with!

By Frances Harder


Advantages to have India as a strategic partner & to building lasting business relationships

• Speak the same language

• History of long working relationship with western world

• Good detailed work

• Technical skills

• Good education system

By Frances Harder


By Frances Harder

Questions US manufacturers must know and ask any domestic or international

partner

32


• Factory location – Distance to ports & infrastructure?

• Customer base and how long doing business?• Turn time, minimums and production capacity?• Pricing structure?• Equipment inventory?• Staffing structure?• Technical abilities, testing and quality

standards?• Procedures and process control?• Communication – How many questions and

redo's?

33


Social & Labor ComplianceDoes the factory have its own officer responsible for compliance?

• Are they compliance with local & International laws? Child labor issues!

• Does factory contract third party auditors, or has customers conduct their own?

• Copy of past audit report?


All these points must be addressed before the relationship can grow

into a profitable PARTNERSHIP!

By Frances Harder


• About the FBI-• Fashion Business Inc. (501c3) provides

the fashion industry with the resources and training, to support its growth and profitability. The FBI offers targeted business education, sourcing, networking opportunities, marketing and consulting services through its resource center and business partnerships. The FBI exists to ensure the on going vibrancy of the American fashion industry.

By Frances Harder

By Frances Harder

Frances Harder

Fashion Business Incorporated

213.892.1669www.Fashionbizinc.or

[email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

apparel manufacturing on a global platform-

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